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Alright fellas, here's where I need your help. My wife has given me the OK for an M3. I was considering buying it end of this year or early next year...getting an 06 model of course. Well, my biggest dilemma is...should I get the E46, or wait for the newly redesigned M3 that will come out mid 2006?

Here is my problem, I love the design of the E46, and I'm not too sure I will like the styling of the new one coming out (but it may grow on me). But, I do know I'll want the speed, engine, and new perks they install on the new M3's. But if I wait for the new M3 to come out, I definitely don't want to get the first year run, so I will have to wait until MY2007...basically I'll drive my crap car to the ground while the wife drives the X5. I'd like to get a new car soon, but waiting 2 years for something is an alternative. Anyways, what do you guys think I should do...I'm going to start a poll that I can't even answer myself. Please give me your input.

Sorry, forgot to add, leasing is out of the question. I 'm not a big fan of leasing and if I got something, I'd rather put my money into a car I will own.

Alright fellas, here's where I need your help. My wife has given me the OK for an M3. I was considering buying it end of this year or early next year...getting an 06 model of course. Well, my biggest dilemma is...should I get the E46, or wait for the newly redesigned M3 that will come out mid 2006?

Here is my problem, I love the design of the E46, and I'm not too sure I will like the styling of the new one coming out (but it may grow on me). But, I do know I'll want the speed, engine, and new perks they install on the new M3's. But if I wait for the new M3 to come out, I definitely don't want to get the first year run, so I will have to wait until MY2007...basically I'll drive my crap car to the ground while the wife drives the X5. I'd like to get a new car soon, but waiting 2 years for something is an alternative. Anyways, what do you guys think I should do...I'm going to start a poll that I can't even answer myself. Please give me your input.

Sorry, forgot to add, leasing is out of the question. I 'm not a big fan of leasing and if I got something, I'd rather put my money into a car I will own.

I was told that the new M3 will not come out until the new 3 series is out for at least a year or two. They did the same thing for the new 5 series and they are just now getting the new M5 out. I was going to wait, but like you, not a fan of the new exterior. So, I just ordered mine, and god willing, it will be here in 4 weeks. I'm leasing mine...

Do a 3 year lease now on an E46, so when your lease matures the E90 M3 will have been in production for about a year and dealer mark-up won't be so crazy. Otherwise get on the waiting list now and start saving so you can pay the $5k+ over MSRP that the dealers will be charging within the first few months of production.

It's been my experience that if you've got the ok, strike while the iron is hot.

I say get the E46 now, and enjoy it. You never know what tomorrow will bring. If you don't want to lease, you can always sell it in 3-4 years when the new M3 has been out for a while and the markup is not so crazy. Also, if you wait for the latest and greatest, you'll never get anything.

I would get mine right now if I were you. After 2 years, who knows. You know the model and its performance. The new model will have to have its kinks worked out. That might take 2 years. I don't think I could wait that long.

It's been my experience that if you've got the ok, strike while the iron is hot.

I say get the E46 now, and enjoy it. You never know what tomorrow will bring. If you don't want to lease, you can always sell it in 3-4 years when the new M3 has been out for a while and the markup is not so crazy. Also, if you wait for the latest and greatest, you'll never get anything.

Buy an E46 and enjoy it. If youa re really obsessing, buy a used one and move to an E90 later. That way you save the depreciation of a new car.

I've considered this too, but the problem is the car doesn't depreciate that much, so I won't even get that much of a better deal. I just heard some discouraging news that maybe one of you guys can confirm. Some other forum said that they will stop new production on the E46 M3's pretty soon...like in June...is this true? Even with my wife's ok, I wasn't expecting to buy the car that soon...we just put a crapload of money in some investments that I can't take out from, I'd hate to do drop even more down.

I've considered this too, but the problem is the car doesn't depreciate that much, so I won't even get that much of a better deal. I just heard some discouraging news that maybe one of you guys can confirm. Some other forum said that they will stop new production on the E46 M3's pretty soon...like in June...is this true? Even with my wife's ok, I wasn't expecting to buy the car that soon...we just put a crapload of money in some investments that I can't take out from, I'd hate to do drop even more down.

What site!! Where is this information. I can't get a straight answer on this. Has anyone pinged BMW NA?

In the past, which is the only thing we can go on, BMW has continued the M3 until the new Coupe body is out or for 1 year after the introduction of the new body style. So one would expect that the E46 M3 would continue production for at least another year. Thenn there is a 1 year skip to the next M3.

So, May 05 introduction of the E90 Sedan as an 06 model. Continue E46 M3 production through most, if not all, of the 06 model year. Skip 07 model year (no M3 at all), then introduce as an 08 model. Could come early (E36 came out in May or June of 94 as a 95 model) or late (E46 M3 came out in March 01 as an 01). But I would expect another year of E46 M3 production.

But in reality, no one, other than BMW knows for sure, and they haven't said.

As for depreciation, there is a good bit in the first couple of years. Maybe not as much as some cars, but if you are trying to minimize outlay today to consider an E90 when they come out, saving $5K - $10K is not a bad thing.

I know a lot of this is speculation, so that is why I'm asking. Hey De_UnKnOwN_1 you're right, right now I don't love E90 stylin. I've seen pictures of the new M3, and I'm really hoping that they change the rear end a little when it comes out as a coupe. I like the V8, 400 hp deal though, can't go wrong with that. Besides...it's a BMW, how much can I hate it?!?! So if I go the used route for lower payments and less down so that I can spend more when the E90 comes out, I'm going to stay away from the 01 model...did they make the Laguna Blue any year besides 01?!?!

Alright fellas, here's where I need your help. My wife has given me the OK for an M3. I was considering buying it end of this year or early next year...getting an 06 model of course. Well, my biggest dilemma is...should I get the E46, or wait for the newly redesigned M3 that will come out mid 2006?

Here is my problem, I love the design of the E46, and I'm not too sure I will like the styling of the new one coming out (but it may grow on me). But, I do know I'll want the speed, engine, and new perks they install on the new M3's. But if I wait for the new M3 to come out, I definitely don't want to get the first year run, so I will have to wait until MY2007...basically I'll drive my crap car to the ground while the wife drives the X5. I'd like to get a new car soon, but waiting 2 years for something is an alternative. Anyways, what do you guys think I should do...I'm going to start a poll that I can't even answer myself. Please give me your input.

Sorry, forgot to add, leasing is out of the question. I 'm not a big fan of leasing and if I got something, I'd rather put my money into a car I will own.

alpine white, with red leather interior. that'll be the colors i'll get the e46. and three yaers later sell it and put a down payment on the e90

The e46 Coupe body is undoubtfully the most sleekest body style ever made by BMW in my opinion........I'm sure many would agree. Get the M3 now. If you can, get the competition package with it (it will make your car more unique and desireable if you sell it). If you don't like it in a few years when the e90 comes out you can sell it at a premium price since it will be one of the last years such a desireable body style was available. Also, down the road you can swap that new v8 engine into yours, get more power and keep the same sleek car

smurf blue was only recently replaced (interlagos I think) from the OEM list.

Sorry, but what do you mean by this? I'm not sure what it means. And bmw330pp, I agree that the E46 coupe is one of the most sleekest body styles ever made, but I also LOVE the new 5 body styles. I loved the previous 5 series body styles as well, but the new one I love even more. I'm just wondering if that'll be the same case with the new E90 M3's I see.

if ur really in that much of a pickle.. jus lease a new one for said amount of years..then if you dont like the E90, just buy the E46 at the end of the lease, otherwise. you have the E46 off ur back when the E90 comes out..